Western Pa. roads suffer as snow exceeds estimates

A motorist travels along a snow-covered Route 30 near Latrobe on Thursday, on Feb. 13, 2014.

Sean Stipp | Tribune-Review

Traffic is slowed between the Donegal interchange and Somerset interchange of Pennsylvania Turnpike on February 13, 2014. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission expanded the speed-limit restriction of 45 mph for all drivers traveling between the New Stanton Interchange at Exit 75 and the Delaware River Bridge at Exit 359, as well as the entire Northeastern Extension from Mid County Interchange at Exit 20 to Clarks Summit at Exit 131.
The commission also expanded its temporary tractor-trailer ban for drivers pulling empty and double trailers from New Stanton to the Delaware River Bridge as well as the entire Northeastern Extension. The ban also includes non-commercial or recreational trailers being pulled by passenger vehicles, including utility or cargo trailers, horse and other livestock trailers and trailers for boats, snowmobiles and other recreational vehicles.
Trucks are also being restricted to the right lane of travel in both directions between New Stanton and the Fort Littleton Interchange at Exit 180. The truck and speed restrictions will stay in place through the duration of the storm. Extra maintenance crews and Pennsylvania State Police patrols are on duty across the turnpike.

Good Samaritans help push a stranded motorist stuck in deep snow on Stefko Boulevard Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014 in Bethlehem, Pa. A wide swath of Pennsylvania awoke Thursday to a fresh coating of snow and a forecast for much more to come over the course of the day. (AP Photo/Chris Post)

A winter storm packed a surprise for Western Pennsylvania on Thursday with snowfall exceeding expectations, causing some municipal officials to restrict travel on treacherous roads.

The heaviest snow fell in central and eastern Pennsylvania, closing schools, businesses and government offices, but the storm appeared to spare the state the huge power outages and large-scale traffic problems from last week's ice storm. Airlines canceled or delayed hundreds of flights at Philadelphia International Airport, and Pittsburgh International reported cancellations or delays for flights heading eastward.

Snow amounts ranged from 1 to 3 inches in Allegheny County, 3 to 5 inches in Westmoreland and Fayette counties, a foot in Harrisburg and more than 16 inches in suburban Philadelphia. As the snowfall tapered off, the National Weather Service predicted a chance for more through Sunday.

“It's the first year that winter has bothered me this much. It's relentless,” said Abby Murphy, 40, of Mt. Lebanon. She and her family plan to spend 10 days at Disney World in Florida next week. “It can't get here soon enough.”

Snowfall in many areas exceeded forecasters' expectations, and road crews struggled to keep up. Officials in the Westmoreland County communities of Unity, Hempfield and Greensburg imposed travel restrictions on roads into Friday, asking motorists to eliminate unnecessary trips and use patience and caution if driving is unavoidable.

“We wanted to make sure we have enough salt and anti-skid to keep everybody safe,” said Unity Supervisor Mike O'Barto.

Crews were treating hills, curves, intersections and main thoroughfares to conserve the salt supply, and officials said snow accumulation would determine whether they extended the restriction. “We can't overuse the material in case we get more snow,” O'Barto said.

Greensburg was conserving its dwindling road salt, despite receiving 114 tons this week. Streets Superintendent Rick Hoyle estimated the city had about 350 tons of salt and anti-skid material.

“I can't remember anything like this,” Hoyle said of the winter's continual plowing and salting.

Further east, schools and businesses closed and government workers stayed home. Travel slowed and people cleared snow from driveways and sidewalks with snowflakes caked on their coats and caps.

“It's like having childhood again,” said Kelly Hambright, 39, of New Cumberland, across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg. “The kids love it. ... My husband is a snow plower; this is a blessing for us. I know for everyone else it's a hassle and a pain, but it's been good because in the winter, they don't work unless it snows.”

In a late-morning briefing at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency headquarters, Gov. Tom Corbett said nearly 800 National Guard troops were deployed to armories to prepare for emergencies resulting from the storm.

“They're there waiting for calls,” he said. “I hope we don't get the calls, but we're prepared.”

PennDOT closed HOV lanes in Allegheny County. Crews started planning Wednesday night for what looked like heavier than predicted snowfall, spokesman Steve Cowan said. Interstates were wet and slushy. Dispatchers across Western Pennsylvania reported crashes, including a fatality in Washington County and an overturned vehicle in Fayette County that temporarily closed Three Mile Hill on Route 31 in Bullskin until rescue workers freed the occupants.

Allegheny County Public Works Director Steve Johnson urged drivers to use caution even on plowed roads: “We feel like we're keeping up with it, but people are probably not seeing dark, wet pavement like they liked to see. Then again, if we weren't doing anything, then people wouldn't be able to find the roads.”

PennDOT spokeswoman Erin Waters-Transatt said the agency was moving equipment from Erie, one of the nation's snowiest cities, and other western areas to Lancaster, Reading and the Lehigh Valley. PennDOT has used 926,000 tons of salt this season, compared with 748,000 tons, on average, in recent years.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said the city recorded 43 inches before the latest storm hit, nearly twice the snowfall in a normal year.

“This is highly unusual weather ... not just here in Philadelphia, but in talking with other mayors and government officials up and down the East Coast,” Nutter said.

Trib Total Media staff writers Craig Smith, Tory Parrish and Aaron Aupperlee and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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